As product managers, our journey towards excellence and growth is constant and challenging. In this blog post, we will share ten essential strategies that can significantly enhance your performance as a PM.
These strategies are the compass points guiding us through the complex and multifaceted world of product management. From orchestrating team dynamics to honing personal skills, they cover various areas crucial to a product manager's success.
1. Listen to your customers
Engaging with customers goes beyond mere conversations. Listen actively, including to what isn't being said. Anticipating industry trends and unspoken customer needs can lead to groundbreaking product hypotheses.
Learn about the ''Jobs To Be Done'' framework. This focuses on understanding the customer's underlying needs and the ''jobs'' they hire your product to do, going beyond surface-level feedback.
2. Embrace the challenge
Instead of seeking affirmations, seek contradictions. When asking for feedback, ask “what doesn't make sense”, rather than merely seeking validation for your work. This approach paves the way for genuine insights and continuous improvement.
Tip: Practice the ''5 Whys'Whys' technique to deepen your inquiry. By asking "why" five times, you get to the root cause of a problem. This encourages a deeper understanding and challenges surface-level assumptions.
3. Diversify your research
Rely on a mix of user research methods. Understanding your users' diverse needs and behaviours is crucial for building relevant and successful products.
Combine quantitative data with qualitative insights. This mixed-method approach gives a well-rounded understanding of user needs. This article provides a detailed guide on how to accomplish it effectively.
Discover the nuances of mixed methods research by reading Wim Oers' comprehensive article, which provides a clear understanding of how to successfully apply this research approach.
4. Organise your day
This is the first and most important tip. Being organised is fundamental. Organisation extends beyond just your to-do list; it also encompasses your mental and physical workspace. Try different workroom/office desk setups and tools to learn what works best. And most importantly, stick to it.
A good read on the organisation is "Getting Things Done" by David Allen.
For insightful organisation tips, explore our article where we reveal effective strategies designed to enhance your organizational skills and implement robust processes for maintaining order.
5. Foster creativity
Encourage your team to brainstorm collectively. Facilitate discussions that inspire everyone to contribute innovative product ideas. Creativity thrives in collaboration. So, fostering team creativity is not just about generating ideas; it's about creating an environment where innovative thinking is nurtured, and collaboration is celebrated. Ensure that all ideas are considered and validated, even if not implemented.
Tip: Use brainstorming techniques like ''mind mapping'' to visually explore ideas. This encourages diverse thinking and ensures all voices are heard. "Creative Confidence" by Tom Kelley and David Kelley is an excellent read for inspiring creativity.
6. Become an expert in your domain
When you are new to the domain, bootstrap this process by seeking the counsel of existing worldwide experts. Research and identify leading experts in your domain. These could be authors of influential papers, speakers at industry conferences, or recognized leaders in the field.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to these experts for mentorship or advice. Many professionals are open to sharing their knowledge, especially with individuals who show genuine interest and initiative. Follow Industry Leaders on Social Media and participate in online forums, Slack groups and discussion groups related to your domain.
7. Consider opposing views
Learn to argue for the opposite of your viewpoint. Understanding and acknowledging counterarguments strengthens your decision-making and broadens your perspective. This means you should not only defend your point of view but be able to challenge it and accept the input that doesn't align with your initial opinion.
Tip: Engage in ''Red Team-Blue Team' Team' exercises. This involves creating two teams where one team defends a decision and the other challenges it. It'sIt's a powerful way to see different perspectives.
8. Move past frustration
As a PM, navigating the diverse opinions of numerous stakeholders can be daunting, but overcoming this frustration is crucial for progress and success. Reflect on what triggers your frustration. Is it unmet expectations, disagreement, overwork, or something else? If there are more than one, identify them separately. Understanding these triggers helps in addressing them more effectively.
Once aware of your emotional triggers, work on regulating your reactions. Practice reframing negative thoughts. Instead of thinking, “This is impossible,” try, “This is challenging, but I can work through it.” Such positive reframing can significantly alter your emotional response to stressful situations.
9. Understand your team
For product managers who also handle people management, it's essential to not get caught in a one-size-fits-all mindset. Adapt your approach based on your team's unique dynamics, needs, and developmental stage. Flexibility is a hallmark of great PMs. Be prepared to switch between leadership styles as your team evolves. For instance, newer team members might need more directive leadership, while experienced members might benefit more from a delegation approach.
10. Prevent problems before they arise
While problem-solving is inevitable, adopting a proactive stance saves resources and steers the project towards more successful outcomes. Regularly encourage your team to identify and discuss potential risks and challenges. This can be done through structured meetings or an open-door policy where team members can freely express concerns.
A pre-mortem analysis is a powerful tool in the proactive problem-prevention toolkit. It requires a shift in perspective, from reacting to problems as they occur to anticipating and mitigating them beforehand. The essence of a pre-mortem analysis lies in envisioning a scenario where the project has failed. This imaginative exercise isn't about pessimism; it's about identifying potential pitfalls and weaknesses in the plan.
In Summary:
Becoming a great product manager is about much more than just managing products. It's about organising, questioning, listening, collaborating, focusing, arguing, overcoming, adapting, and, most importantly, preventing.
These ten strategies are not just actions but represent a mindset that, when embraced, can lead to unparalleled growth and success in your role as a PM.
